Sweet Avengers (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 18)

by J A Whiting

  Grace shook her head. “I don’t. I never notice cars. It was a mid-sized sedan though, if that helps.”

  Angie nodded. “What about the driver?”

  “The coffee shop is located on the side of the street that looks out at the passenger side of cars. It was bright and sunny that morning. When I stared out the window after I heard someone yell, I saw the car. It was going so fast. A got a quick look at the driver. It was a man. Maybe forty years old. He was blond, I know that.”

  “Some witnesses claim it was a woman who was driving the car,” Finch informed the woman.

  Grace shook her head adamantly. “It wasn’t a woman. No way. It was man. I saw the side of his face. I know it was only a second, but no woman has a jaw like that, square and hard. His nose was big and he had a thick neck. Maybe people think they saw a woman because his hair was sort of longer. He had it brushed back over his ear. It was all one-length, dirty blond. It fell to about here.” Grace held her hand at the middle of her neck. “The sunlight hit his face as he sped by. It was a man. I’m positive.”

  Just as the meeting was wrapping up, Grace said, “That necklace your mother was wearing … it had an oval, white stone pendant on it. That stone glowed like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It changed color, too. From white, to almost blue, to yellow, then pink, and then to gold and silver. It was incredible. I’ve never seen a gemstone like that. It was almost as if it was alive.”

  10

  Josh and Tom had returned to Sweet Cove the previous night and Ellie, Courtney, and Orla had gone to Newbury Street to do some shopping. Angie and Jenna had just put the babies down for a nap after a morning of playing, strolling around the neighborhood and down to the Common, and sitting on the sofa reading books to their little girls and were heading to the kitchen to have lunch with Mr. Finch when the doorbell rang.

  Finch went to see who was there and returned to the kitchen with Dr. George Day following him. “We have a visitor.”

  “Dr. Day.” Angie turned around in surprise, her mind racing through ideas about why the doctor was paying them a visit. “It’s nice to see you.”

  “Please call me George. I apologize for intruding on your time.” Dr. Day was dressed in a light gray fitted suit with a pale blue shirt and a black tie. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

  Euclid and Circe sat up on the top of the refrigerator assessing the new arrival.

  “Would you like some lunch?” Jenna asked the man. “We made soup, salad, and grilled cheese sandwiches. There’s plenty of food. Please join us.”

  “Well….” The doctor hesitated.

  “Come sit with us.” Angie smiled. “It’s really nice to eat a meal at the table by the patio door.”

  Dr. Day accepted the invitation and the four of them sat down and helped themselves to the lunch food.

  “Delicious,” the doctor praised the soup.

  They made a few minutes of small talk and then Dr. Day told them why he had come.

  “I wanted to speak with you about your mother. I went back and forth about whether or not I should come talk with you, and well, here I am.”

  “What would you like to tell us?” Angie had to keep her eagerness in check and allow the doctor to speak without pressure or hurry.

  Dr. Day set his spoon on the saucer. “Your mother was a wonderful person. We worked together for a number of years and our friendship grew over that time. She was a skilled physician. A remarkable healer.”

  Jenna glanced at Angie when she heard the doctor’s description.

  “She had a knack for figuring out a diagnosis and a laser-focus that helped her zero in on what her patients needed.” Dr. Day looked down at his soup bowl. “I miss her.”

  “Were you friends outside of the hospital?” Mr. Finch asked gently.

  “We often went out for dinner together after we left our shifts. We were friends.” Day shook his head. “I have to say it. I loved your mother.”

  When the three people around the table heard the statement, their eyes went wide.

  “I never told your mother how I felt. I did tell her that I would like to pursue something more than friendship with her, but I didn’t reveal my deepest feelings for her.”

  “Did our mother have an interest in dating?” Jenna asked.

  “She did.” A tender smile spread over the man’s face. “I could barely contain my joy when she agreed to our first date. We went to a show and then out to a French restaurant. It was a lovely evening.”

  “How long had you been dating?” Angie questioned.

  “A month.” Day’s expression turned to sadness. “It was the best month of my life.” He took a deep breath and went on. “Your mother wanted to take things slow. We enjoyed one another’s company immensely. We could talk for hours, we had the same taste in literature, in movies, in musicals. We enjoyed hiking or walking along the harbor or just sitting on a bench and watching the people stroll by.”

  “Were you at the scene of the accident?” Jenna’s voice was soft.

  Day winced. “I didn’t witness the accident, but I came around the corner seconds after it happened. I didn’t want to believe it was Elizabeth in the street. I couldn’t believe it. I went numb.”

  “Did you go to her?” Finch asked.

  “I did.” Day nodded his head vigorously. “I ran to her side. I checked her vitals. There was no pulse. I checked her injuries, but I knew she must have internal bleeding. I … there was nothing that could be done. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save her.”

  Angie placed her hand on the man’s arm. “I’m glad you were there with her.”

  Jenna said, “One of the witnesses, a young woman, she was in her late-thirties at the time, told us she ran to our mother to see if she could help. She mentioned a tall, kind man who tended to Mom. That person was you.”

  “Yes. I remember the woman. She wanted to help. She wanted to comfort Elizabeth.” Day sadly shook his head.

  “The woman told us there was another man that went up to our Mom. She didn’t like his manner,” Angie said. “She told us you spoke to him and he went away.”

  Dr. Day sat up straighter. “I don’t know what was on that guy’s mind. To gawk? To get a thrill from someone else’s misfortune. I growled at him. I told him to get out of there. I remember his eyes. They were very intense. His look seemed to challenge me. He hesitated for a moment and then thought better of it. I guess the look on my face was more extreme than his because he took off. I didn’t see him again at the scene. He may have been lurking around, but I didn’t run into him.”

  “Our mother was wearing a necklace,” Jenna said. “Do you think that man was thinking of stealing it?”

  “That would be outrageous.” Day’s face reddened. “How could that even go through his mind. He would have to have grabbed it while we were right there next to Elizabeth. No, I don’t think that was what he was after. He was simply a shameless gawker.”

  “Can you describe the man to us?” Finch requested.

  “Yes. I can still see him in my mind. He was short, stocky … not overweight, strong, like he worked out very frequently. His shoulders and arms were muscular. He had those dark, intense eyes.”

  “Do you recall his hair color?”

  “Blond. The hair was very short, almost like buzz cut.”

  “Any distinguishing features?” Angie asked.

  “As a matter fact, there was. He had a scar on his face, at the cheek. It was very thin, but it ran down his cheek to his lip.”

  Jenna nodded. “The woman witness reported the scar, too. Did you happen see the driver of the car?”

  “I didn’t. When I came around the corner, the car was speeding away. I was on the passenger side of the vehicle. I couldn’t see the driver from where I was.”

  “What color was the car?”

  Day said without hesitation. “Deep, dark red.”

  “Why were you near the accident scene that morning? Did you live down that way?”

 
“No. I was going to the coffee shop that was on that street. The place near the hospital that Elizabeth liked was closed that day due to a water main break. I wanted to surprise your mother with a fresh coffee. I knew she’d be disappointed when she saw her favorite place wasn’t open, and she wouldn’t have time to return to the coffee shop she’d just passed. I had a free thirty minutes so I headed over to pick up two coffees for us.”

  “Did you notice the necklace Mom was wearing that morning?”

  “I did. I’d never seen it on her before. It was a stunning gemstone. Do you have it?”

  A shiver of defensiveness and distrust raced through Angie as she wondered why Dr. Day would ask if they had their mother’s necklace, but then she relaxed realizing it was just a normal inquiry.

  Jenna answered the man’s question. “We don’t have it anymore. We passed it on to someone who had a … fondness for the necklace.”

  “I see. It was such an unusual stone. It seemed to glow and change colors right before my eyes. I assumed it was due to the light playing off the surface of it. Do you know what kind of stone it was?”

  “We aren’t sure,” Finch replied. “It might have been a moonstone.”

  “Moonstone? I’m not familiar with what that is.”

  “We think our mom might have had a meeting that day,” Angie told Day. “Did you hear anything about it?”

  Day seemed puzzled for a few seconds before his confusion cleared. “A meeting. Yes. Elizabeth was going to Hamlet to see a patient.”

  Angie and Jenna’s breath caught in their throats. They were going to Hamlet tomorrow to speak with a friend of Orla who lived in the small town.

  “Hamlet? She had a patient in Hamlet?” Jenna questioned. “Why wasn’t the patient coming to see her in Boston?”

  “The woman was ill. She couldn’t get to the city so Elizabeth was going to make a house call,” Day said. “It was unusual to do that. I believe Elizabeth had known the woman for a long time.”

  Angie leaned forward. “Do you know what the woman’s name was?”

  “I don’t. Elizabeth didn’t mention it to me. Patient privacy, and all.” Dr. Day checked the time. “I’d better be getting back to the hospital. I hope you don’t mind that I came by. I needed to tell you that someone your mother knew was with her at the end. I spoke gently to her and told her everything would be all right.” Day swallowed hard. “I told her I loved her. A few days before the accident, your mother shared with me that our relationship was very important to her. We were both happy together. As long as I live, I’ll never meet anyone like her again.”

  11

  Angie, Jenna, and Courtney stood in the foyer of the house waiting for Orla and Mr. Finch. Circe sat quietly, but Euclid meowed his impatience with having to wait and wanted to get moving.

  “Here they come,” Courtney told the felines. She opened the front door and they went out to the car.

  It was suggested that Ellie stay behind. “You look too much like your mother,” Orla told her. “It might be best if you didn’t join us today. You might draw unnecessary attention to us.” So Ellie remained at the house to care for Gigi and Libby.

  “I hope Ellie wasn’t offended by my suggestion,” Orla said.

  “Ellie was probably relieved.” Courtney opened the rear door so the cats could jump into the vehicle. “She really doesn’t like paranormal things so she’s more than happy to stay at the house with the kids.”

  Jenna drove Ellie’s van out of the driveway and headed to the highway for the trip to the North Shore.

  “Why haven’t I ever heard of the town of Hamlet?” Courtney watched the landscape flash by as she shifted Euclid on her lap.

  “It’s very small,” Orla told her.

  “It can’t be so small that no one knows about it.”

  Orla smiled.

  “What’s it like? How many people live there?” Courtney pressed for more information.

  “There are only about five hundred residents. It’s on the coast not far from Salem. It doesn’t have any beaches, just a very rocky coast. I think that’s what has kept it so secluded. People want to sunbathe or swim in the ocean, but since there’s no beach, tourists go elsewhere. The town is quite quaint. Stores and shops line the main street. The sidewalks are made of bricks. The place has a very cozy feel.”

  “Your friend’s name is Magill? That’s who we’re going to meet?” Courtney asked.

  “That’s right. Magill is a very interesting person. She’s lived in many different places around the world.”

  “I have a question.” Angie turned to look back at Orla in the second row seat. “Why didn’t you think it was a good idea for Ellie to come? She’s been with us for every other meeting or interview we’ve done on this case.”

  Orla pushed a stray auburn curl from her eyes. “Ellie looks too much like Elizabeth.”

  “The way you phrase it makes it sound like that’s a bad thing.” Angie gave the woman the eye.

  “In some cases, it could be a bad thing,” Orla said softly.

  Angie was about to speak when Finch said, “The town of Hamlet is a special place.”

  Courtney sat in the third row seat with Circe. “Sweet Cove is a special place, too, and Ellie goes everywhere there.” The young woman’s eyes widened. “Wait a second. Is Hamlet special because of who lives there?”

  Finch couldn’t keep a smile from forming. “Perhaps.”

  “Okay,” Jenna said from the driver’s seat. “Spill the secret. You know we’ll pry it out of you eventually anyway.”

  “There’s nothing to hide about the place,” Orla said. “It’s a simple North Shore town.”

  Courtney snorted. “Simple? I don’t think so. Here’s what I think. Most of the people in Hamlet are normal, everyday people, but part of the population consists of paranormals.”

  “That’s a good guess,” Orla nodded. “Except for one thing you said.”

  “What’s that?” Courtney asked.

  “You said most of the people in Hamlet are normal.”

  In her excitement, Courtney leaned forward to better see Orla in the van’s middle seat. “You mean most of the people who live there are paranormals?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, my jumping June bugs!” Courtney blew out a quick breath of air. “This is going to be amazing.”

  “You won’t be able to tell a normal person from a paranormal,” Orla explained. “Everyone integrates well. No one stands out.”

  “Do the normal people know there are those in town who have skills?”

  “Some do. Most don’t … and wouldn’t care,” Finch said. “Hamlet is an artists’ town, painters, actors, writers, singers, songwriters, artisans. Anyone is welcome there.”

  “How do you know about it, Mr. Finch?” Angie asked.

  “I was there a very long time ago.”

  “Mom was going to Hamlet to help a patient of hers who was ill. Do you know who the person was?” Jenna asked.

  “Yes, but I’m going to let my friend tell the tale,” Orla said.

  “So back to Ellie,” Jenna said. “Why couldn’t she come with us? What does it matter if she looks just like Mom?”

  Orla sighed. “We don’t want anyone suspecting we’re poking around about your mother’s accident.”

  “Why not?”

  Orla’s shoulders slumped. “Because the longer we search for information, the more dangerous the situation becomes.”

  “You mean someone won’t like the fact that we’re trying to find the killer? And someone might retaliate against us?” Angie shivered.

  “Something like that.”

  Finch said, “Ellie stands out because of her height and her long blond hair and her resemblance to Elizabeth. At this point in the investigation, we don’t need to call attention to ourselves.”

  As they entered the town, a subtle change seemed to take place in the surroundings. The trees seemed bigger, the atmosphere was unhurried, people strolled the streets looking into
shop windows, flower boxes and pots spilled with gorgeous, colorful blooms. The homes were a mix of large and small, but each house was carefully landscaped and tended. If someone purposefully designed a small, cozy seacoast town, Hamlet would be it.

  “This place is beautiful.” Courtney’s head swiveled back and forth to look out at both sides of the road. “How have we not been here before?”

  Jenna followed Orla’s directions and after two, short turns off the main road, they pulled into a long driveway.

  “Look at this house,” Jenna said.

  Courtney gazed out the window. “It looks like a hobbit house.”

  The wood-sided home had a thatched roof and a rounded glossy, wooden door. A lush green lawn sparkled in the dappled sunlight, tall trees surrounded the house, and flower gardens were set on both sides of the home.

  A woman who looked to be in her late-seventies waved to them from one of the gardens. She had gray, curly hair to her shoulders, big bright eyes, and a slightly stooped posture. She wore a long, multi-colored skirt and a straw sunhat.

  Orla hugged the woman. “This is my dear friend, Magill Binney.”

  “Very nice to meet you all.” Magill smiled broadly and her eyes shone. “And who do we have here?” she asked looking down at the cats as they emerged from the van.

  Finch said, “The big orange boy is Euclid and the small black cat is Circe.”

  “Ah, the goddess of magic.” Magill bent to allow the cats to sniff her hand and then she gave each one a gentle pat. “Welcome to you, fine felines.”

  Euclid and Circe trilled at the older woman.

  “I think you passed the test,” Finch smiled at Magill.

  “Come sit in the garden. I have water and lemonade and some muffins I made this morning.”

  At the back of the house was a patio with wooden posts covered with grapevines. The shady spot smelled slightly fruity and big pots of flowers were set around the patio.

  “I knew your mother,” Magill told the sisters as she passed around cold drinks. “Such a lovely woman. She was a well-known healer.”